I am going to be in London in a couple of weeks, and so have been looking at the websites of some of my favorite stores to plan my shopping. I always stop by M&S for nightwear and lingerie. I am planning on buying this nightwear ensemble....

Thursday, March 25, 2010

As you know I have two large homes. I'm sure that you assume that I have a full time housekeeper, and spend my days getting manicures.

That could not be further from the truth! I do everything myself, although I do have help in the garden, I'm not totally daft!

I don't particularly enjoy housework, but it does make me happy to live in a clean and tidy environment so over the years I have tried different ways to motivate myself.

The tried and tested method that works for me is....

I use a timer!

I spend 10 minutes a day per room. The timer works for me because it keeps me motivated, otherwise I'll get side tracked and before I know it 2 hours have disappeared. Using this tactic 5 days a week is enough to keep both homes clean and tidy.

I also spend 10 minutes a day on paperwork which keeps the beast under control. It is shocking how much paperwork a family of four generates. Invites, permission slips, bills, magazines and receipts mount up quickly, so 10 minutes a day is essential.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Wow! I've been crowned a socialite. This morning I was so honored to be tagged by the lovely Bethany of Maryland Pink and Green. My very first award!

The Official Preppy Mafia are taking over the world one monogram at a time. The rules- Click on the above button and paste onto your blog/website Answer the below questions Pass onto 10 bloggers that you Love, go to their blog and let them know they've been tagged 1. Who is your style icon? Jackie Kennedy2. What is your favorite socialite lit book? Pride and Prejudice3. Favorite party theme? Lots of candlelight, silver, crystal and china.4. Go to Halloween costume? I don't dress up for halloween, unless I'm attending a party - I don't think its as popular in England.

5. Extravagance you cannot live without? New clothes 6. Living person you admire? Jimmy Carter. My husband is on the board at the Carter Center and we really admire President Carter's humanitarian efforts. 7. Greatest Fear? Something happening to my children 8. Trait you deplore in yourself? Being a perfectionist, although I am a little easier now that I have children, I have learned to appreciate the charm of something made with love.9. Which talent would you most like to have? Being fluent in several languages10. Greatest Achievement? The thing that I am proudest of is having a happy family and a good marriage.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

For those of you living near Atlanta, the Lewis and Sheron store on Huff Road is an amazing resource for fabric and trims. The store is sixty thousand square feet so if you can imagine it, they probably have it.

I wish that I had taken some photos so that I can show you, but they have two floors of fabrics, plus a huge array of furniture ready to be upholstered, plus a room full of trim, plus a rug gallery. It is scary how many ideas you'll get just walking around.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

As you know we just purchased a puppy so be prepared for a deluge of pet related posts - feel free to ignore them!

Much as I love my puppy, I don't want her climbing all over me as I drive. Plus for her own safety I wanted to be able to strap her carrier in, so I purchased a sleepypod. These photos are from the website, but you get the idea!

When we're done traveling I can take the top off and use it as a pet bed, but as much time as I spend driving, I think I'll just keep it in the car!

Monday, March 15, 2010

One of the fun activities that we did during our Utah trip was dog-sledding....

What a beautiful place. Can you imagine living there and seeing views like this every day. The guy who owns the dog team used to be an executive who would regularly fly over Park City. He decided he would rather see it from the ground and made a dramatic career change. He seemed very happy!

Sophie's favorite part was having the puppy at the back sit in her lap during the uphill bits! He was four months old and just adorable.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Lilly Pulitzer will be running a special on Saturday called Lunch at Lilly.

If you spend $1000 you will receive the following:

Limited Edition Tote BagPair of SALE Sunglasses of ChoiceFragrance Gift Set of Choice – either the Mother’s Day gift set or the Holiday gift set.$100 gift cardMurfee Scarf of Choice – From RESORT 2009 ONLY.2 chances to win LUNCH AT LILLY!!!!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

We just got back from skiing in Deer Valley. I have to say the Stein Ericksen Lodge was fantastic. They really know how to take care of you and it was such a beautiful place to visit.

One of the blogs that I read is Headbands and Handbags and she actually is lucky enough to live in Park City. I took some of her advice and tried the carrot cake at the Stein. She's right, it is fantastic as is just about everything else we had. My children loved the burgers, and my husband and I loved the chili.

Deer Valley has been rated the number one ski resort for the past 3 years, and it deserves that title.

We also tried dog sledding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing which was my favorite activity.

I got lots of lovely compliments on my Lilly outfits! I may have converted a few people!

Friday, March 5, 2010

Last night my son came home from school and announced that he needed two pies for pi day tomorrow. I dropped my daughter off at dance, went to the grocery store, came home and started making two lemon meringue pies. As I was standing there stirring, it occurred to me that pi is 3.14 and as it was only 3/04 it seemed a little early to celebrate.

You know what happened next don't you, that's right I checked his paper and found out that pi day is next Friday.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

I thought it would be nice to get to know each other a little. So... here is a little bit about me and I look forward to reading a little bit about you on your own blogs, or if you don't have a blog then please leave a comment, I would love to get to know you.

1. I was born in Kent, England. I moved to Colchester at 18 to attend university, and then moved to London when I graduated. I lived there until I was 26 when I moved to the US.

2. I met my husband at university. He came to England for one year to complete a Masters degree and stayed for 6 years!

3. I have always loved style. I love to dress well, and love to decorate.

4. I was a goal orientated career girl until I had children, and now I am a very happy housewife.

5. I love to craft, especially scrap booking.

6. I try to work as hard at being a housewife as my husband does at his job.

7. Although I have become very Americanized I still shop like a European.

8. We spend 4 nights a week at our home in Georgia and then weekend at our lake house in Alabama.

9. I have been married for over 20 years and still love my husband.

10. We're about to add to our family, we're getting a puppy. My children are so excited.

Monday, March 1, 2010

We discovered this clock radio because it was in a hotel that we stayed at. I don't like to have a lot of electronics in the bedrooms, so liked it because it is a clock, a radio, a cd player as well as an ipod/iphone dock.